No Docs? No Problem! - From Zero to Full Documentation in Less Time than You Think

Discover practical strategies for rapidly developing comprehensive technical documentation for mature codebases in this 43-minute conference talk from linux.conf.au. Learn how to design documentation as an "alternative API," stage large projects in deployable parts, integrate with continuous integration environments, and implement effective team practices. Gain insights on improving system architecture and community involvement through parallel documentation development. Explore real-world lessons from the speaker's experience documenting the HarfBuzz library, covering topics such as top-down design, staging strategies, and practical tips for documentation teams.

Intro
The Takeaway
About Me
What is HBShape
Do you need documentation
Documentation as an API
Planning Phase
Documentation is monolithic
Target readers
Documentation collection
Documentation goals
Writing tips
Continuous integration
Voice consistency
External reviewers
No Docs
Testing
Publishing
Conclusion
Questions